Ready to fix up & look sharp?
Great facial hair comes in all shapes and sizes. There’s a subtle stubble, a groomed goatee and a full-blown beard. Not to mention a clean shave, a chin strap and a handlebar. Whatever your style, we’re here to help you find the perfect tool for the job.
From foil to rotary, and from wet to dry, here’s our top picks, plus everything you need to know about clippers and shavers (and then some!).
Philips Series 7000 14 in 1 Multigroom MG7720/13
One-stop barber shop
Whether you like to switch up your style or you’ve just got a keen eye for detail, you’ll love this showerproof head-to-toe trimmer. It’s a hair, face and body shaver complete with 14 tools and accessories, all in one handy storage pouch.
Wahl Aqua Blade Multi Groomer
Hair, stubble, ears & nose…
From full haircuts to close shaves, ear and nose trimming to the most precise beard trim – this one’s got it in the bag. There are 16 guide combs plus a dual foil shaver head, rotary head and detail head all in one handy pouch, so you’ll never be short of options.
Buying the right shaver isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Some people prefer a wet shave with a foil, and others a dry shave with a rotary. If you’re buying for someone else, make sure you know what they use already, and if they’re ready for a change.
Find the right shaver
Making the leap from cartridge shavers to electric shavers can seem daunting. The number of blades, attachments, cleaning stands, wet or dry, cords and charging – all will have a slightly different way of shaving, and everyone has their own favourite model and make. But whether you’re looking for a shaver to last for the long run or splashing out for a special someone, our guide can help you navigate the options available.
Rotary vs foil blades
Rotary blades are three circular blades that sit on top of an electric shaver. They work by quickly lifting and cutting hair on the face and neck, and easily adapt to the contours of the face to give a comfortable shave. By moving rotary razors in a circular pattern, it’s easy to achieve the perfect shave.
Pros of rotary blades
• Work better around the curves of the face
• Better for sensitive skin
• Quieter than foil blades
Foils are blades behind a thin sheet of perforated metal, which move back and forth quickly to allow the blades to cut hair on the skin. Foils give a closer shave than rotary blades but aren’t as good at dealing with the curves of the face. Foil shavers have to be used in an up-and-down or side-to-side motion, to prevent the blades from nicking the skin.
Pros of foil blades
• Give a closer shave
• Better for precision shaping
• Great for daily shaving
Dry vs wet
Some shavers are waterproof, but wet shaving isn’t about shaving in the shower. Wet shaving refers to using shaving gel or foam, as opposed to using a dry shaver directly on skin. This can be helpful for those with sensitive skin, as it creates a barrier between the blades and the face. However, it can also mean that shavers need cleaning more often or clog up faster.
Dry shavers are perfect for the man who enjoys five extra minutes in bed rather than a long morning routine. They can be done quickly and easily with minimum fuss or mess.
Batteries vs rechargeable
Although older styles of shavers which only work when they’re plugged in used to be popular, they’re not up to modern-day safety standards. These days when it comes to buying shavers, there’s a choice of cordless battery-operated shavers, or mains rechargeable.
Batteries are great for those who travel a lot – they’re small, light, and portable enough to be taken from A to B. The only danger is running out of power halfway through a shave. Fresh batteries can help prolong the life of a shaver, but it can be a pricier long-term solution than going for a rechargeable option if it’s used daily.
Beard & body shaving
Some like to shave, trim and tweak more than just their facial hair. In this case, a multi-groomer is the best tool for the job, as most come with attachments for face, hair and body. Take a peek at our pick of multi-groomers…
Attachments & cleaning pods
Shavers will need cleaning more often if they’re used every day, to keep them running well.
To clean a shaver, it needs to be turned off and unplugged from the mains charger. First, clear out any trapped hair or dirt. Most models will have a head that comes off, and this is where the stubble is collected. Clearing it out means the shaver will run better, its motor won’t be overheated, and the blades won’t go blunt as quickly.
Next, brush away any dirt from the shaver’s hair pocket, and disassemble the blades if you can. Never brush away dirt from the delicate foils of a foil razor, as this could affect their performance. However, rinsing out the blades with a brush and hand soap is fine.
The three rotary blades can be removed from a rotary model and given a slightly more thorough brushing, washing and cleaning. If the elements of the shaver get wet, it’s important to let them all air-dry before putting the shaver back together.
